By our Reporter
Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) has organised a quiz competition for selected secondary schools in Lokoja Local Government Area to intimidate the students as well as sensitise the public on the importance of paying tax.
Tagged “Catch Them Young Tax Quiz Competition”, the event which is the inaugural edition, had no fewer than eight secondary schools from across the state capital in attendance with four contesting.
They include: Crowther Memorial College, Muslim Community College, Government Science Secondary School, and Harmony International School, all in Lokoja.
Speaking on the importance of the quiz, the Executive Chairman of KGIRS, Alhaji Sule Enehe, said the program is a pilot one and and aims to sensitise the students on the importance of tax payment to societal growth and development.
Represented by the Director of Administration and ICT, Mr. Alex Akande, the Executive Chairman of KGIRS said the initiative was in partnership with the state Ministry of Education as part of efforts to foster learning in the state.
The program also had contributions from the Ministry of Education, represented by Mrs. Ohunene Obakachi as well as former Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria,(CITN), Dr. Mrs. Esther Owotunse who emphasised the importance of taxation in every society.While theTax Controller, Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS), Mr. Dongson Sanda, educated the participants about the Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC).
Meanwhile, Harmony International School won the first position in the Quiz Competition along with a cash gift of ₦50,000, the 1st runner – up position went to Muslim Community College (₦30,000 cash reward), Government Science School emerged 2nd runner – up,(₦20,000 cash reward) while Crowther Memorial College the 3rd Runner – up took home a cash reward of ₦10,000.
